Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief G. Thompson was shot and killed after receiving word that a man wanted for forging checks was at a store at the corner of Elk Street and Depot Street. Unbeknownst to Chief Thompson, the suspect was using an alias and was wanted for the murder of Constable Jeff Goff, of the Wirt County, West Virginia. As Chief Thompson made his way to the store he asked a local citizen to accompany him to make the arrest. When the two arrived at the store Chief Thompson pulled out his revolver and approached the man. As the chief grabbed the man by the shoulder the man spun around and opened fire with a revolver, fatally wounding Chief Thompson and striking the citizen in the leg. The suspect fled the scene but was arrested several days later in Youngstown, Ohio. He was convicted of Chief Thompson's murder and sent to prison. He died on July 11, 1971, while still incarcerated. Chief Thompson had served with the agency for only 3 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Elkins, Randolph County, West Virginia.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-WV-83259590- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Thompson served with the Gassaway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gassaway community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Thompson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police G. Ord Thompson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. G. Ord Thompson's cause is highlighted.
How G. Ord Thompson Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. G. Ord Thompson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. G. Ord Thompson was killed by gun; unknown type.